Chantilly Bridge

Chantilly Bridge is a subtle movie, crafted by director Linda Yellen and an ensemble of talented women. The movie is a follow-up to the gem from 30 years ago, Chantilly Lace. The old friends introduced to us in Chantilly Lace get back together to grieve the dead, remember old times, and to share life stories - the way one only can with their oldest and truest friends. Where Chantilly Lace showed us women dealing with transitions - losing a job, losing faith, discovering sexual identity and facing illness and death - Chantilly Bridge let's us eavesdrop on their reflections of life experiences. They reunite in the middle of winter, and, metaphorically, in the winter of their lives. The accomplished cast, including 6 of the 7 actresses from Chantilly Lace plus the talented Patricia Richardson and Naaji Sky Adzimah, tell these stories themselves in a movie that is largely unscripted. Meaningful scenes, beautifully acted.

I had the opportunity to see Chantilly Bridge at a screening in NYC at the Village East (a father-daughter event). It was a beautifully made movie, wonderful cast, and a great follow-up to Chantilly Lace (which I had seen earlier in the week, but my daughter had not). BOTH of us enjoyed the movie thoroughly, and found the stories compelling, the acting very "real" (and as much of it was unscripted, that added to the authenticity), and while filled with feminist themes and lots of "girl-bonding", it was not just a "Chick flick"! Definitely worth seeing, and loved the addition of Patricia Richardson to the ensemble cast!

Linda Yellen's CHANTILLY BRIDGE is a love note to the indomitability of female friendship and the beauty and complexities of found family as we age, love and grow. Though a sequel to Yellen's CHANTILLY LACE, seeing the prior film is not a prerequisite. I hadn't and yet was immediately swept up in each woman's quietly fraught world, cheering for her triumphs and mourning the inevitable losses and compromises that are part and parcel of the landscape of every life. Unvarnished dialogue, an authentic rapport and warmth among the characters, stellar storytelling and gorgeous filmography (the backdrop is the spartan beauty of a rural Upstate New York winter) make CHANTILLY BRIDGE an absolute must see.

This film holds you in its heart from beginning to end. It was authentic & relatable on every level. Acting, writing, directing, music, cinematography - all riveting, all right on the mark. The best friends in the story become your best friends, their struggles, your struggles, their joy, your joy. Yes, it's a film about women and friendship, but men should see it as well. So much insight. It will enlighten and enrich you. I've also never seen a movie that is so lyrical, not just in the dialogue, but in the way the dialogue, music and action are all put together. Kudos to these wonderful actors, and the writer, director, cinematographer and everyone else who worked on this film and put it together in such a beautiful way. Thank you. I will cherish this film and watch it, again and again.

Good cast, great acting, a moving story of female friendship enduring through time. It feels "real" as if you were eavesdropping on a group of old friends who really care for each other. They have not met together in 25 years - that was the time of the first movie, Chantilly Lace, when they were in their forties and fiery. Fiery they still are. Jill Eikenberry, Talia Shire, Lindsay Crouse, Helen Slater pick up their roles as if they had never ceased to inhabit them. They are joined by Patricia Richardson and Naaji Kenn. It's rare to see actors so clearly at ease in their roles that they don't seem to be acting. Is it based on a real story? Asked the woman seated beside me today. They are getting older and their questions reflect that as they tangle with the fear of losing a job, the reality of being fired, the possible staleness of a long marriage. They share intimate secrets and sexual fantasies. What does it mean to get older and to fear becoming invisible. They truly like each other and will keep fighting for the right to a fulfilling life.

Chantilly Bridge is a must see for anyone who cares for a group of women wonderfully alive and moving - great actors doing their best under the caring eye of director Linda Yellen.